The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-04-28
MY COUSIN BILL.
BY DAISY MURDOCH.

nau gone down 10 the Ola place TO
see Cousin Bill Whcatly. Cousin Bill
had stayed there and worked tho farm,
and been all in all to grandmother and
the rest, while had grown to be fine
gentleman in the city-vcry fine in my
own estimation at least. And we were
walking together along the green lane
between five-acrc meadow and the Or
chard, when VIC heard scream.
"Gracious," cried Cousin Bill. "That's
her. l know her voice. She's got
frightened by the COWS again. Hello!
I'm here Pm comingl Don't stir! Up
on the fence. KNOW" he added to me
in confidential tones, "and right among
the brambles."
"Who on earth is afraid of COWS in
this pace9' asked.
But Bill was gone, and in few mo-
mcnts returned with pretty girl on his
arm. The wind had blown her hair
about, and the brambles had torn her
muslin dress, but there was an air about
her did not expect.
Miss Mason, Cousin Henry, said Bill.
'Mr. Hunter, perhaps. l ought to say :;
but hope you'll be Lilly to him and
he Henry to you, after n while. He's a
great favorite of mine, Lilly. and has got
to be q wonderful lawyer in London.
Ell, old boy1'
Miss Mason said few gay words to
me, and VIC walked home together. She
kept his arm, and they were evidently
engaged, and felt as though there
could be nothing more unsuitable. A
city lodger of my aunt's, supposed, for
she was very elegant. However, found
out after while that she was only the
schoolmistrcss. Her father had been one
of those rich men who fail and leave
their children pennilcss. And she had
had every advantage. Now she bore her
reverscs with dignity and sweetness.
Perhaps the fact that Cousin Bill had
plenty of money had caused her to en-
gage herself to him. 1 could think OF
no other reason except that she had not
vet met me.
To my taste she was the prettiest girl
ever saw, and felt that Bill stood be-
tween ME and my happiness. Besides
being beauty, she was accomplished,
this girl. She sang, painted, danced.
She would have made suitable wife for
the eminent law l hoped to be-for a
judge, if l came to that She was thrown
away on plain farmer. And there
upon l began to say to myself, 'If tried,
might cut Bill out even yet. lido,
10 much the better"
And, with this for my motive, l stayed
at the hospitable farm for weeks, and
Bill and his good mother never guessed
what was at.
/ At last I was obliged to 60 back te
the city. How far had succeeded with
Lilly Mason l did not know; but was
resolved to put it to the test before
went.
And on the last evening-Bill having
vanished somehow contrived to &c
his sweetheart to 60 with me into tha
very lane behind the orchard where III
had introduced us, and there, in tn
twilight, told her all felt.
81 love you, Lilly" l said. "Do yo'
love me ~
For answer, she burst into tears.
"My darling, why do you weep2"
asked.
She sobbed violently.
Don't ask me-" she said. "Leav,
me. Never speak to me again. an
engaged to your cousin, to Mr.. Wheatly
Did you not guess as much2'
"If did," l answered, II did no
feel that that should prevent me fror
speaking. 1t is most unsuitable match
You are throwing yourself away. ca
plac, you in a position more suitable
you. You could help mo to fight m
way upward. l believe you like me
Can you say you do not"
Lilly turned her face away.
"Do not talk OF liking" he said
MY word is plcdged-my promis
given. If have forgotten it sometime.
l remember it now. William Is yer
good TO me. will marry him. At lea.
l shall learn to love him. Go; forge
me. 1 will forget you. l will do m
duty.
What next l should have said l d
not know. A voice fell between ,
from over the stone fence against whic
I leant. On the other side stood m
cousin Whcatly, tall and pale as a ghos
and the words he uttered were thcs,
DUTY It's anybody's duty not {
marry unless she loves. If you don
love me Lilly Mason, / don't want 20,
If you do love Cousin Henry Hunte
why marry him. l wouldn't stand
your way for kingdom"
His voice broke. He was sobbing.
'9t's a blow" he said, "but he
right. You would be throwing yourse